Rotary internal combustion engine



3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 5 1939. B. SHORE ROTARY INTERNAL c'oMBUsTIo'N ENGINE Filed Jan..- 22, 1936 en/Janny 5,4065,

Sept- 5, 1939.

B'. SHORE ROTARY INTRNAL coMBus'rIoN ENGINE -Filed Jan. 22, 195s 3 Sheets shet 2 IIa-2.

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Sept. 5, fl939. BQ SHORE 2,172,039

f ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTIYON ENGINE i Filed Jan. 22', 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 5,1939

PATENT OFI-ic y 2,172,039 v maar INTERNAL coMnUs'rxoN ENGma l Benjamin shore, New Malden; England Application January 22, 1936,`Serial No. 60,308 In Great Britain January 23, 1935 4 Claims'.

This invention relates to rotary internal comf bustion' engines comprising a rotor revolving within a cylindrical bore casing with the annular space between the rotor and bore divided .v byv equally spaced abutments into a number of compartments.

The primary object-of said invention is to provide a rotary internal combustion engine of simplified construction and ofv great efilciency. A further object is to provide an engine in which a substantially uniform torque is provided resulting in smoothness 'of running. Another object of the f 1t wm be understood that, various ':onstruc-` tional details obviouslynecessary and apparent to'` th'ose skilled in' the art have been omitted and -rin the drawings: Y

'Fig 1 isa'n elevation, partly in section, of a rotaryinternal combustion engine constructed in accordance with my invention.` lwlig. 2 is a sectional side view, on the line 2.2 p of Fig. 1. f y

' Fig. 3 is a fragxrientary sectional view on an enlarged'scale through the rotor and'stator showing one series of abutments.

Fig. 4 is a lview similar to rotor in a different position.. y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a modification. Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in ,the drawings. l 1

Referring ilrst to Figs. 1 and 2 the rotor R is mounted by key Ia orother suitable means en a 5 shaft I, said rotor comprising a bush 2 and radialv arms 3 supportingv a drum like ,member 4 the circumferential surface of which carriestransverse equally spaced apart,vanes 5.'

f The stator drum Yconsists of an enclosing casing comprising a, main member or annulus` 6; with suitable side plates 1, said main member being formed with channels or spaces, as later described for the transfer of gases andto lhouse the various valves, abutments andthe like, and the side plates are formed with Yspaces for vthe passage there- Fig. 3 showing the through -of operating 'rodsforthe abutments and valves. The drum like lmember I is'pr'ovided at each side with an annularl groove I and the side plates' 1 of the casing'are housed in said grooves (with suitable sealing means not shown) to aiiow for rotation of the rotor and for equal sized com partments 9 between the rotor and bore of the casing, the size of which is determined by the 5 relative diameter of the rotor and bore, and the number of compartments. A number or series of abutments half as many as the numberof com-'f partments and also serving as valves are provided, and each series comprise three, the said abutments being gas tight within suitable channels I1IB inthe casing. These abutm'ents which extend completely across the compartments comprise induction abutments II! in channels i1, v transfer or second abutments Ii and compression-charge-carrying, or ring, abutments I2 in channels I8. Said abutments are urged by means of compression springs I3, on to the rotor surface, so as to form a partition when allowed to drop. `Any suitable means may be provided, however, for urging the abutments on to the rotor surface. I I

The inlet from the carburettor or like supply fis taken through a duct I4 which is integral with a bearing of the shaft I and is carried to the inlet abutments by arms I5 which communicate with passage ways I6 in the casing E. Said passage ways communicate with thechannels i1, and with portways I9 in the induction abutments I0 `when same form partitions. In back (with respect to the clockwise direction of rotation ofthe' rotor and cycle ofv operations) of the induction abutments, exhaust ports or passages 20 'are provided, leading to a suitable manifold (not shown).

In order to'allow for the insertion and removal of the compression springs I3, tapped holes 2Ia are provided in the 'cover though which the springs may be inserted, suitable screw in closures .2l (Fig. 2) being provided.

The abutments are lifted against, or allowed to drop under the iniiuence. of the springs I3 by f means of cam-'tracks 2,2, 23 at each sideand so-operating means 25, 21 on the abutments. Two cam-tracks 22,` 23 integral with the rotor R at each side thereof, are providedjthe first 22 to 5 actuat'e both the induction and transfer abut- `ments, vthe second 23, to actuate lthe firing abutments I2. The transfer abutments Ii carry lateral arms 2l, having rollers 25 which engage the cam-tracks 22. A similararrangement actuates' the inlet abutments whilstlateral arms 26 hav ing rollers 21 which engage the cam-track 23, actuate the rlng abutment. The cam-track 22 l is similar in contourto `the rotonsurface-so that both induction and transfer abutments follow the contour of the rotorbut the camitrack 23 is contoured to ensure that the third abutments are held clear of the rotor surface except when lfiring occurs as later described, and for a suitable period thereafter. All the lateral arms 24, 26 pass through suitable slots in the side plates 'I, the. slots for a firing abutment I2 being designated' by the numeral 28 in Fig. 2.

A valve mechanism is provided for ensuring cut oi between low and high pressure sides in a compartment when a. vane 4 5 is passing the.pair of abutments until after return to normal -'position of the said pair of pressure and firing abutments. A portway 29 in the annular member 6, communicates with a fluid space 30, said space or chamber being formed with a seat 3I andcommunicating with another portway 32 in the member 6. These two portways 29, 32 are in communicationor cut oi, depending upon the position of the valve head 33. The head is carried on a stem 34 which projects through a side plate 1 and carries a roller 35, engaging with a -cam track 36, which raises the head 33, or enables same to be closed f valve, said figures illustrating the operation of vthe engine, it being understood that all series of` by the compression spring 31. It will of course be understood from the drawings that one mechanism above described is provided for each series .of abutments.

The transfer abutment II of each series has therein a passage way 38, whilst the firing abutment I2 has a cooperating passage way 39 which is in communication with a compression space or pocket 4I) in the said abutment. This space 40 communicates with a part of a compartment towards the rear edge of a vane when the abutment I2 is dropped.

It will be observed from the later description that the portways 29, uid space 30, and portways 32 form the means for transferring theinduced charge to the portways 38, 3 9 on the pair of abutments I I, I2. l

Reference will `now be made to Figs. 3 and 4, which show one complete series of abutments and abutments synchronise.

In Fig. 3 the abutment I Il is spring urged on to the rotor inthe position shown, having 1115i',

'I completed itsrise and fall to follow the contour of the passing vane 5; and in this position, the

portways I6 I9 are aligned. It will be understood therefore that movement of the rotor will cause the charge from the carburettor or like supply, to be drawn into the portion of the compartment the abutment II, when both the abutments I0 and vI I commence to lift. The movement of. the abutment I0 cuts oil.' the -fuel supply, whilst'the movement of the abutment Il cuts on the passage be`- tween the uid space and the pocket 40. When in such position the compartment 9 between the two said abutments is illed with the inducedv charge, and further movement will start compressing the charge via.the po rt 29 into the'illid space 30. The pocket contains the previously compressed charge, and when the rotor is in the positionx illustrated in Fig. `3, with all abutments in a series urged on to the `rotor or whilst the abutment I2 is following the contour of the rear edge of a vane this previously compressed charge j is fired by suitable spark plugs P'in the confined space between the pocket 40 and the rear edge ofthe vane just passed. In order that this charge in'the pocket 40'shall not leak back into the lowlfpressure fluid space 30 at the rear side `:armoire is compressed into the fluid space 39 and portway' 5 38 until the abutment I2 is lifted shortly after firing as will be seen from the shape of the cam 23, so that the passageways 33 and 39 align, the

compressed charge passing into the'pocket 40 until the following vane cuts off the portway 29 10 and the abutment I I starts to lift. After a charge has been fired the explosive force against the rear edge of a vane just past impells the rotor and the abutment I2 is retracted into the casing, the compartment containing the exhausted gases will 15 pass round untilthe following vane after passing II, I2, as before mentioned forces same through the exhaust passage 20 the forwardinlet abutment I0 forming a partition. Thus it-willbe appreciated that the compartments are ring and 20 exhausting alternately/and whilst the explosion occurs in the confined. space of the compartment between the rear edgeof a vane 5 an'd the front edge of the abutment I2, the other space between the -front edge of a following vane and the abut- 25 ment II is compressingacharge which after said abutment I2 has lifted and isv dropped again, passes into the pocket 4 0 of the firing abutment via the portways 32,33 and 39.

In Fig. 4 the compartment 9I contains an in- 30 duced charge, the pocket 4I), aazompressed charge, and both compartments 9E contain burnt gases, whilst in Fig.'3 the abutment I2 has dropped into ring position, transfer abutment II into sealing position, and abutments Illto form an inlet for35A strips designated generally by the numeral 4I, are

provided-on the vanes 5 and abutments III, II and I2, said strips being urged by suitable springs within their slots. Also, to prevent any undue, percussion or pressure by the abutments, the chambers II, .I3 are both stepped at 42, and the abutments are correspondingly shaped. Thus the downward movement of the abutments is limited, suiciently to prevent unduefriction upon the rotor', whilst allowing adequate sealing.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 an arrange- `ment is shown in which the sizeof the com-4 Ypartment'as determined by the distance between 55 rotor surface and bore is such that the provision of vanes, the full distance between rotor and bore is impracticable. In order therefore to pro- -vide a seal a radially sliding blade 43 is housed y in a slot in each vane 5', said'blade being forced 30 .outwardly by compression spring means 44 forming a artition across a compartment. The abutments'lll', II', I2 of. each series are of a size and have portwaysso disposed that they are not .completely retracted into the compartments II', .o5 vI3 andthe bore of the casing is curved both at v45 and 43, and the surface of the abutmentsA ,shaped at 41,*43, and 49.' that the cut of! 'comen f 5I) of the blade 43 is guided thereby when passing the retracted abutments. It will be understood that this construction enablesA compartments of greater volume to be provided compared with the embodiment'previously--fvfv-l described, for engines of similar overall size.

' It will be understood that vthe casing is suitably .75

supported such as by means-of a bed plate t (Fig. l) and that the sparking plugs for firing will be suitably housed. In Fig. 2 a plug is shown fitted in the third abutment. However the plugs-l P may be fitted in any suitable position so as to re the charge, the position being determined by the details of design o f the engine.

The firing ofthe charge will preferably take 'place an instant before the rotor is in the position shown 'in Fig. 1 so that the main impulsive effort is received when the vane is substantially in the position shown.

I'claim;

1. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a rotor, a casing having a cylindrical bore and also provided withiexhaust passages, means for mounting said rotor in said casing, the periphery of s'aid rotor being spaced from said cas delivery into said space, means tending vconstantly to mave said member to its first mentioned position,. means whereby said member is movable to its second mentioned position simultaneously with movement of a vane across the same, a second member slidably mounted in the casing in .advance of said rst mentioned member as regards the direction of rotation of the rotor, spring means constantly urging said second mentioned member inwardly against the periphery of the rotor, a chamber in communication with said annular space between said first and second mentioned members, 'an abutment slidably mounted in the casing-and having a compression pocket, spring means constantly urgingsaid abutment against the periphery of Ithe rotor, cam means for* outwardly moving said second mentioned member and said abutment, means for the supply of fuel from said chamber through said second mentioned member rand said abutment into the space between a lvane and said`abutment when al vane has passed by said abutment.. and means for firing the fuel supplied to said space.

2. The combination as set forth in claim l in which 'the second mentioned member and the abutment are provided 'with' cooperating ports disposed so that delivery of fuel from the cham- A ber into .the pocket of the abutment is denied except when said second mentioned member is pro- 'jected across the said annular space and said abutment isz retracted into the stator.

3. The combination as -set forth in claim 1, '1

wherein, the said chamber which communicates vwith the passagein the second mentioned member is provided with a cam and spring controlled valve which closes while a vane is passing the port leading to the chamber. and while the second mentioned member and abutment are-dropping onto the rotor to prevent the compressed charge in the pocket from leaking back 'to the low pressure fluid space at the other side of the second mentioned member.

4. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a rotor` having vanes and a stator having a series of exhaust passages, said rotor and stator having an` annular space therebetween divided into a'number of compartments by-said vanes, pairs of contiguous and relatively sliding abutments each having fuel passages adapted to register during a portion of the relative movement between the abutments and one of said abutments having a pre-compressed charge-holding pocket,

said abutments being spring urged toward the rotor and adapted to deliver said pre-compressed charge behind thevanes', mechanical means independent of lthe vanes for actuating the abutments 'of each pair to drop together onto the rotor behind each vaneI means for supplying a pre-compressedpharge to the abutments prior charge to be red as both abutments of each pair drop, the number of pairs of abutments being' half as many as the number of vanes forming j compartments' whereby the number lof firing impulses per revolution ofthe rotor is equal lto the number of compartments times the number of pairs of abutments.

BENJAMIN SHORE.

to their ldropping' and -means for causing the 40" 

